Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

 October 29, 1892, saw the birth of Herbert Walter Carr in Port Adelaide, South Australia. He was raised in South Australia. Carr had a job as a Wharf Assistant with the Harbour Board prior to joining the military.

Carr was also a Naval Cadet for three years before enlisting. He received fundamental military training from this experience, such as drills, discipline, and handling small arms, which facilitated his entry into the army.

At the time of his enlistment, Carr had no children and was single. Information about his transfers, injuries, and general service would have been sent to his mother his nominated next of kin, Mrs. Eliza Sussanah Carr (born Lithell, later Bootes).

He had several siblings, including Alice Maud Carr (1892–1904), Arthur John Sabine Boitano (1896–1943), Roy Angelo Boitano (1898–1916), and Albert Ernest Aka Mick Bootes Boitano (1900–1954).

Herbert Walter Carr, age 21, joined the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in Morphettville, South Australia, on October 24, 1914. His training took place at the Mitcham Camp, where recruits were subjected to a rigorous regimen intended to prepare them mentally and physically for the harsh realities of combat. The rigorous training regimen that soldiers underwent included engineering skills, tactical drills, weapons training, survival training, and physical conditioning.

He was assigned to the 9th Light Horse Regiment (B Squadron), where he was instrumental in preserving logistics and infrastructure on the battlefield. He would have gained expertise in reconnaissance techniques, advanced horsemanship, and desert survival as a member of the Light Horse Regiment—all of which were essential for the campaigns in Egypt and Palestine.

Carr embarked on HMAT Karroo from Melbourne 11th February 1915. His service record indicates that he returned to Australia at some point in 1915 for an unknown reason and reembarked to Egypt on the ship Bakuna 2nd June 1916. He was transferred to the Anzac Mediterranean Division 25th June 1916. Carr served in the Middle East for the duration of the war. He was hospitalised in 1916 with Pyrexia and with Appendicitis in 1917. In 1918 he was treated in hospital for Septic Stomatitis and then was diagnosed with Malaria.

On October 8, 1919, Private Carr left Egypt on HT Devon and arrived back in Adelaide on November 24. On January 23, 1920, he was formally released from military service. He later married Ethel Carr (born Benson) on October 13, 1920, at St. Paul's Church in Port Adelaide. They had two children: Coral Benson Carr (born 1921) and Joyce Ethel Burman (born Carr) (1926–2016).

Carr was 67 years old when he died on October 13, 1960. He was buried in the AIF Cemetery in West Terrace, Adelaide (Row 15A, Grave 62) in remembrance of his military contributions to Australia.

Bibliography

“Australian Soldiers, Memorials and Military History.” Vwma.org.au, 2025, vwma.org.au/explore/projects/173965/edit. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

“Details.” Adfa.edu.au, 2024, aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=46983.

“Private Herbert Walter Carr.” Awm.gov.au, 2025, www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10828588. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

“State Library of South Australia / All Locations.” Sa.gov.au, 2025, www.catalog.slsa.sa.gov.au/search~S1?/dCarr%2C+Herbert+Walter%2C+1892-1960/dcarr+herbert+walter+++++1892+++++1960/-3%2C1%2C1%2CB/frameset&FF=dcarr+herbert+walter+++++1892+++++1960&0%2C0%2C. Accessed 7 Mar. 2025.

Terrace, Victoria. “View Digital Copy.” Naa.gov.au, 2025, recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3207723&S=1.

---. “View Digital Copy.” Naa.gov.au, 2025, recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=6331013. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.